unprincipledness
Syllables
un-prin-cip-led-ness
Pronunciation
/ʌnˈprɪnsɪpl̩d.nəs/
Stress
00010
Morphemes
un- + principle + -ledness
The word 'unprincipledness' is divided into five syllables: un-prin-cip-led-ness. The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('led'). It is morphologically complex, consisting of a prefix, root, and two suffixes. The syllabification follows standard English rules of onset maximization and avoiding stranded consonants, with the presence of a syllabic /l/ in the stressed syllable.
Definitions
- 1
The state or quality of being without principles; immorality; unscrupulousness.
“His actions were characterized by a complete lack of unprincipledness.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('led'). The first, second, third and fifth syllables are unstressed.
Syllables
un — Open syllable, unstressed.. prin — Closed syllable, unstressed.. cip — Closed syllable, unstressed.. led — Closed syllable, stressed.. ness — Closed syllable, unstressed.
Word Parts
Similar Words
Onset Maximization
Consonant clusters are kept together at the beginning of a syllable (e.g., 'prin').
Avoid Stranded Consonants
Consonants are not left alone to form a syllable (e.g., 'led' is not divided as 'l-ed').
Vowel as Syllable Nucleus
Each syllable must contain a vowel sound (or a syllabic consonant).
- The syllabic /l/ in 'led' is a common feature of RP and affects syllable structure.
- Regional variations in the pronunciation of /l/ might slightly affect the perceived syllable boundary.
Nearby Words
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